Experience the sight of a tiger in its natural surroundings in broad daylight. Ranthambore National Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in India. It is located 140 km from Jaipur near the township of Sawai Madhopur. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests for sport was responsible for their conservation, and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger. In 1972, it was estimated, that there were around 1927 tigers in India, of which Rajasthan had 74, and the number of big cats in Ranthambore Sanctuary was 14. This was also the year that Project Tiger was launched, and this sanctuary was taken into its wings, along with seven other sanctuaries and national parks. Courtesy of India Tourism Board